Starting with Windows 11 build 25967 (Canary), the Cortana app has been removed.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Cortana for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Cortana is a personal productivity assistant in Microsoft 365, helping your users achieve more with less effort and focus on what matters. The Cortana app in Windows 10 and Windows 11 helps users quickly get information across Microsoft 365, using typed or spoken queries to connect with people, check calendars, set reminders, add tasks, and more.
Cortana is still included in Windows 11, but will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar by default.
References:
Configure Cortana in Windows 10 and Windows 11 - Windows 10
Cortana includes powerful configuration options specifically to optimize for unique small to medium-sized business and for enterprise environments.
docs.microsoft.com
End of support for Cortana | Microsoft Support
End of support for Cortana
prod.support.services.microsoft.com
If you like, you can disable allowing Cortana usage by all users on the computer.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable Cortana
Starting with Windows 11 build 25921 (Canary), you can uninstall Cortana like any other app.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Cortana in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Cortana using REG file
EXAMPLE: Cortana enabled and disabled
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two to configure the same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
3 In the right pane of Search in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow Cortana policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.
5 Enable Cortana for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
6 Disable Cortana for All Users
A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2 Enable Cortana for All Users
This is the default setting
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_allowing_Cortana_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowCortana"=-3 Disable Cortana for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_allowing_Cortana_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowCortana"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
